Emergency Lighting: BS 5266 Requirements, Testing Schedules & Log Books

Summary

Emergency lighting is legally required in all commercial premises, public buildings, and places of assembly. Its purpose is to illuminate escape routes and exit signs when the main power supply fails, allowing occupants to evacuate safely. Unlike routine lighting maintenance, emergency lighting has mandatory test schedules and log book requirements set out in BS 5266-1:2016 (the UK's main emergency lighting standard) and supported by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

For electricians and building services contractors, emergency lighting is a specialised area with clear compliance obligations. The person responsible for the premises (the "responsible person" under the Fire Safety Order) must ensure the system is maintained, tested, and documented. In practice, this means contracted maintenance visits with written test reports. A premises that cannot produce a complete maintenance log when inspected by the fire authority may face enforcement action even if the lights themselves are functioning.

Emergency lighting is distinct from exit signs (which may or may not be illuminated by emergency circuits) and fire alarm systems (covered by BS 5839). However, the systems must work together — power failure activating the fire alarm should simultaneously activate emergency lighting where required.

Key Facts

• Governing standard — BS 5266-1:2016 — Emergency lighting — Code of practice for the emergency escape lighting of premises
• Fire Safety Order — Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a fire risk assessment; emergency lighting is typically part of this
• Minimum illuminance — escape routes — 1 lux at floor level (0.5 lux for open areas)
• Minimum illuminance — high risk task areas — 10% of normal illuminance, minimum 15 lux
• Minimum illuminance — open areas — 0.5 lux at floor level (anti-panic lighting)
• Maintained vs non-maintained — Maintained: emergency lights on continuously. Non-maintained: emergency lights only activate on power failure. Sustained: contains both normal and emergency light sources
• Duration — escape routes — Minimum 1 hour at rated illuminance
• Duration — high-risk task areas — Minimum 3 hours at rated illuminance
• Duration — large premises — Typically 3 hours specified to allow safe shutdown before evacuation
• Monthly test — Brief function test (operate for sufficient time to check illumination, typically 25% of rated duration test period); record in log
• Annual test — Full rated duration test (1 or 3 hours as applicable); record result in log
• Log book — Must record all tests, faults, repairs, and maintenance; kept on the premises
• BS 5266-8 — Covers maintained exit signage and luminaire-related exit signs
• Design — Must be designed by a competent person; drawings and calculations retained
• Central battery systems — Alternative to self-contained fittings; single battery supplies multiple luminaires

Quick Reference Table

Detailed Guidance

BS 5266 Zone Requirements

BS 5266-1:2016 requires emergency lighting in specific locations:

Mandatory locations:

• All escape routes (corridors, stairways, fire exits)
• Lift cars
• Moving staircases and walkways
• Toilet facilities (>8m² floor area, or any facility used by people with disabilities)
• Motor generator, control, and switch rooms
• Plant rooms and air conditioning plant
• All areas and routes used for escape in large premises

Spacing and positioning:

• Emergency lighting points should be placed at each exit door and intersection
• Maximum spacing along escape routes: 12m between units (or based on illuminance calculations)
• At every change of direction
• At every stairway step (or within 2m of steps)
• Near fire fighting equipment, fire alarm call points, and first aid locations

Self-Contained vs Central Battery Systems

Self-contained fittings:

• Each luminaire has its own battery and charger
• Simpler to install; no central battery room required
• Higher long-term maintenance cost (many individual batteries to replace)
• Testing: each fitting tested individually (may be automatic with addressable systems)

Central battery systems:

• Single battery bank (typically in a dedicated cupboard or plant room) supplying all emergency circuits
• Lower long-term maintenance (single battery location)
• Higher initial installation cost and complexity
• Requires a dedicated circuit infrastructure; circuits must be maintained live continuously to charge the battery
• Preferred for large premises with many emergency fittings

Addressable/networked systems:

• Self-contained fittings with a communication module
• Central monitoring and automatic test scheduling
• Test results logged automatically; fault reporting immediate
• Significantly reduces maintenance effort in large buildings
• Higher product cost but reduces maintenance time dramatically

Test Schedules and Log Books

BS 5266 prescribes specific testing:

Monthly function test:

1. Simulate a supply failure (switch off normal power supply to emergency circuit or use test facility)
2. Verify all luminaires and exit signs illuminate
3. Allow sufficient time to confirm operation (typically 1-3 minutes for a basic check)
4. Restore normal supply
5. Record in log book: date, result, any faults found, initials of person testing

Annual full duration test:

1. Simulate supply failure at the start of the working day (so fittings can recharge by end of day)
2. Allow emergency lights to operate for their full rated duration (1 or 3 hours)
3. Record illuminance levels where possible (lux meter measurements)
4. Restore normal supply; verify all fittings return to charge mode
5. Record in log book: date, duration, results, faults, person carrying out test

Log book requirements: The log book must include:

• Date of each test
• Type of test (monthly/annual)
• Duration of test
• Any failures or defects observed
• Actions taken to remedy defects
• Name and signature of person conducting the test
• Dates of any maintenance carried out

Recommended log books are available from ICEL (Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting) and fire protection suppliers.

Certificate of Design, Installation, and Commissioning

When an emergency lighting system is installed or significantly modified, a certificate should be issued in accordance with BS 5266-1 Annex A. This covers:

• Description of the system
• Design calculations or software output
• List of all luminaires (manufacturer, model, duration, location)
• Test results on commissioning
• Statement of compliance with BS 5266

This certificate is passed to the building owner/occupier and should be kept with the system log book.

Emergency Lighting in Dwellings

BS 5266 primarily applies to commercial and public premises. For domestic properties:

• Purpose-built emergency lighting is not required in standard dwellings
• Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) may require emergency lighting in common areas — check with the local housing authority
• Building Regulations Approved Document B (Fire Safety) covers means of escape; for dwellings this is typically addressed by fire alarms rather than emergency lighting

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for maintaining emergency lighting?

The "responsible person" under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — typically the building owner or employer. They may appoint a competent contractor to carry out the maintenance, but the legal responsibility remains with the responsible person. Failure to maintain the system and keep records can result in prosecution.

How long do emergency lighting batteries last?

Self-contained emergency light batteries typically last 3-5 years. After this, capacity drops and the fitting may fail the full duration test. Battery replacement (rather than whole-fitting replacement) is usually possible and more cost-effective. Central battery systems use larger sealed lead-acid or NiCd batteries with 5-10 year life. Check manufacturer specifications and replace on a planned maintenance basis rather than waiting for failures.

Does emergency lighting need a dedicated circuit?

Self-contained fittings don't need a dedicated circuit — they operate independently on failure of the normal supply. However, the normal charging supply to each fitting must be maintained continuously (it charges the battery). Central battery systems require a dedicated final circuit to each zone, permanently live to allow charging.

Can I just use combined luminaires to save money?

Combined luminaires (a standard fitting with an added emergency module) are a cost-effective solution for retrofit or lower-specification areas. They are acceptable under BS 5266 provided the emergency module meets the required duration and illuminance. The limitation is that they're generally maintained non-maintained units — they only illuminate in emergency mode, which means the area goes dark (from the combined unit) then comes back dimly. Where continuous illumination is required (cinemas, theatres), maintained-mode dedicated emergency fittings are needed.

Regulations & Standards

• BS 5266-1:2016 — Code of practice for emergency escape lighting of premises; the primary UK standard

• BS EN 60598-2-22 — Luminaires for emergency lighting; product standard

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — Statutory duty to provide and maintain fire safety measures including emergency lighting

• BS 5266-8 — Emergency exit signs and luminaire-integrated exit signs

• ICEL 1001 — Protocol for testing emergency lighting; referenced by BS 5266

• ICEL (Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting) — Technical guidance and test protocol documentation

• IET Emergency Lighting Guidance — IET guidance complementing BS 5266

• HSE Fire Safety in the Workplace — Overview of fire safety legal requirements

• consumer units — Circuit protection for emergency lighting supplies

• building control — Building control requirements for fire safety installations

• asbestos — Asbestos considerations when working in older buildings